Background/Objectives: This study aimed to objectively assess fatigue levels using facial expressions. Methods: This study included 25 female nurses aged between 30 and 50 years. We compared their subjective and objective fatigue levels after a night shift, when accumulated fatigue was assumed, with those after a day off, when recovery was expected. Fatigue levels were subjectively assessed using questionnaires and were also quantified by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Objective evaluations included (1) the degree of eye-opening, (2) the maximum distance and speed of facial skin movement by tracking changes in coordinate values of facial markers on the skin during intentional smiling, and (3) analysis of high-frequency (HF) components and the low frequency-to-high frequency (LF/HF) ratio in heart rate variability (HRV). Results: After a night shift, compared to after a day off, subjective assessments of mental and physical fatigue in the questionnaires and VAS values of own fatigue were significantly elevated. Concurrently, objective evaluations revealed that the degree of eye-opening, along with the maximum movement distance and speed of the lower eyelid, cheek, and mouth corners during intentional smiling, were significantly reduced. Furthermore, the HF component, an index of parasympathetic activity, significantly decreased, whereas the LF/HF ratio, an index of sympathetic activity, significantly increased. Additionally, significant correlations were observed between subjective VAS estimation of fatigue levels and each objective parameter examined. Conclusions: Measuring facial parameters is an effective method for objectively assessing facial expressions of fatigue, and these changes are mediated through reduced parasympathetic nervous activity and increased sympathetic nervous activity during fatigue.

Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and body postural misalignment, including the position of the scapula, can contribute to the onset and persistence of musculoskeletal pain. However, the relationship in asymptomatic cases remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the asymmetry of the resting scapular position and latent MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle (UTM) in asymptomatic adults. A total of 32 asymptomatic adult men (mean age, 26.28 ± 1.1 years) were included in this study. Full-body photographs were taken from the posterior view, with the participants resting in a standing position. To determine the degree of asymmetry of the resting scapular position, the horizontal scapular alignment angle (HSAA) was analyzed from the photographs. The assessor identified the presence of latent MTrPs in the right and left UTMs. The HSAA was significantly lower in the group with latent MTrPs in the right UTM than in those without latent MTrPs. The results showed that the right scapula was more depressed than the left scapula in the group with latent MTrPs in the right UTM. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis indicated that the dominant arm and presence of latent MTrPs in the right UTM significantly contributed to the prediction of the HSAA. The results of this study demonstrated a close relationship between the asymmetry of the resting scapular position and latent MTrPs in the UTM in asymptomatic adults, which may contribute to the onset and persistence of musculoskeletal pain.